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E60 / E61 (2004 - 2010) BMW 5-Series E60 Sedan was first seen in the Unites States in the fall of 2003 with a 2004 Model Year designation. The E61 wagon followed shortly there after. The E60/E61 5 series is now available as a 528i, 528xi, 535i, 535xi, 550i and a 535xi sports wagon! -- View the E60 Wiki

I just purchased a used 08 528xi. Everything so far is fine, but I've noticed that I although there is a lot of tread on the tires, there is throbbing sound at low speeds. I'm assuming that the tires may need to me balanced and rotated. My question is this: is this something that I must go to the dealer for? Or can I go to a Goodyear for this? I am obviously a rookie, so please pardon my ignorance.

So I got the balanced and rotated , and the guy said the problem is that I need an alignment as he noticed uneven tread wear. This is something that must be done by the dealer. My question is this: since my warrantee has not run out, is this a covered expense? And if not, how much damage will I incur? (Funds are currently limited!)

I just purchased a used 08 528xi. Everything so far is fine, but I've noticed that I although there is a lot of tread on the tires, there is throbbing sound at low speeds. I'm assuming that the tires may need to me balanced and rotated. My question is this: is this something that I must go to the dealer for? Or can I go to a Goodyear for this? I am obviously a rookie, so please pardon my ignorance.

Check on Tire Rack, www.tirerack.com, and read tests/reviews of your tires and see if the "throbbing" sound is a characteristic of these tires. If so, you may have found your problem. Tires vary greatly in the amount of noise that they produce.

This thread is slightly out of date, but if you get throbbing sound from the rear, definitely check the inside of your tires for severe wear. The negative camber on these cars will wear out the inside of the tire and produce odd sounds when you're riding on the belts. I also experienced a loud roar/thrum and a squirmy rear end feel. Checked the tire from the side and tread was perfect. Took it to Discount Tire and they pulled me to the rear of the car and showed me the inside of the tire....I was riding on belts. Immediately dialed out some camber to save the new tires.

So I got the balanced and rotated , and the guy said the problem is that I need an alignment as he noticed uneven tread wear. This is something that must be done by the dealer. My question is this: since my warrantee has not run out, is this a covered expense? And if not, how much damage will I incur? (Funds are currently limited!)

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Alignments are not covered under warranty.

I use a good independent Goodyear tire installer (on the Tire Rack recommended installer list) who does my (Road Force) alignments for $90. I also give him enough business, he will "check" my alignment for free and not charge me for the work (happened after I slammed a NJ pothole). Dealer normal price in NJ for alignment is $199, they were running a special for $129, only charged me $99 during some recent work I had done. Go to TireRack.com and click on "installation" on the home page, enter your zip code and they will give local shops they deal with - a good place to start. If your tires are worn badly, balancing and alignment won't hurt, but may not help ride/noise much. If you have the original equipment Goodyeartires (regular or especially run flats) you probably won't be happy with the ride or noise until you change them. Great cars shipped with crappy tires.

I just purchased a used 08 528xi. Everything so far is fine, but I've noticed that I although there is a lot of tread on the tires, there is throbbing sound at low speeds. I'm assuming that the tires may need to me balanced and rotated. My question is this: is this something that I must go to the dealer for? Or can I go to a Goodyear for this? I am obviously a rookie, so please pardon my ignorance.

My first question is, Are these Run Flat Tires? RFTs. If so just replace them with regular performance tires.
When I bought my 535 sedan it had Dunlop RFTs and they were god awful and made a droning sound. Basically you are driving on steel drums with a thin coat of rubber. I always advise people to just ditch them and get regular quality tires. Continental, Michelin, Yokohama, Kumho, many choices. Tire Rack does a good job on their selections and they have great phone support.